ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has urged Afghanistan to assure its soil is not used against Pakistan, Pakistani state media reported on Friday, amid a surge in militancy in Pakistan’s western regions.
Pakistan has struggled to contain surging militancy, particularly in its northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province that borders Afghanistan, since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Islamabad broke down in November 2022.
Islamabad has frequently blamed the surge in militancy on Afghanistan, accusing it of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement and insist that Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
Dar said Pakistan shares common religion, culture and history with Afghanistan, and Islamabad would continue to provide all assistance to the landlocked neighboring country, the APP news agency reported.
“We are well wishers of Afghanistan and wished them prosperity,” he was quoted as saying. “However, we wanted assurance from the Afghan authorities that their soil will be not used against Pakistan.”
The statement came as Pakistani security forces killed six TTP militants in an intelligence-based operation in the restive KP province, according to the Pakistani military.
The TTP has stepped up its attacks and frequently targeted security forces, convoys and police check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
Dar was of the view that the United States and allied forces withdrawal from Afghanistan should not have left behind weapons and ammunition, which came in access of militant outfits.
“Pakistan would retaliate to an attack from any neighboring country,” he said.
Islamabad urges Afghanistan to assure its soil is not used against Pakistan
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Islamabad urges Afghanistan to assure its soil is not used against Pakistan
- Pakistan has struggled to contain surging militancy since a fragile truce between Pakistani Taliban, Islamabad broke down in 2022
- Islamabad has frequently blamed the rise in attacks on militant groups operating out of Afghanistan, an allegation denied by Kabul
Trump says Pakistan-India dispute settled, both ‘very happy’
- Nuclear-armed neighbors halted their worst fighting in nearly three decades after agreeing to US-brokered ceasefire
- Deadly fighting broke out between arch rivals last week after India struck what it said were “terror camps” in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: President Donald Trump said on Thursday hostilities between Pakistan and India were settled and both nations were “very happy” with a ceasefire brokered by the US last week.
The nuclear-armed neighbors halted their worst fighting in nearly three decades after agreeing to a ceasefire on Saturday, following diplomacy and pressure from the United States.
“And Pakistan was very happy with that [ceasefire] and India was very happy with that and I think they’re on the way,” Trump told troops at a base in Qatar during a Gulf tour.
“We got that settled where everybody was very happy. I’ll tell you that it looked like it was really going to be escalating out of control.”
Deadly fighting broke out between the longstanding enemies last week after India struck what it said were “terrorist camps” in Pakistan in retaliation for an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month that killed 26. New Delhi said the assault was backed by Pakistan.
Islamabad had denied the allegations, and both countries sent missiles and drones into each other’s airspace in the days that followed, before they reached a truce.
Kashmir is disputed between India and Pakistan since 1947, with both claiming it in full but ruling it in part.
Pakistan says US decision to lift Syria sanctions ‘pivotal step’ for regional stability
- US President Donald Trump this week announced lifting Syria sanctions “to give them a chance at greatness”
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Thursday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria, describing the decision as a “pivotal step” toward regional stability and the country’s economic recovery.
In a speech given in Riyadh amidst Trump’s trip to the Middle East this week, the US president said he “will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness.”
The surprise announcement marked a significant shift in Washington’s policy toward Syria, where sanctions targeted ousted President Bashar Assad’s government during several years of war. US imposed the sanctions on Syria over its alleged crackdown on dissent and reported human rights abuses.
“Pakistan welcomes the United States’ decision to lift sanctions from Syria, marking a pivotal step toward regional stability and economic recovery,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement.
The foreign office said Islamabad has consistently advocated for constructive engagement and dialogue. It added that the easing of sanctions is expected to facilitate economic growth, improve access to essential services and support the rebuilding efforts of the Syrian authorities.
“We commend the commitment of all countries, in particular the US, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, working constructively toward a peaceful Syria,” it added.
The foreign office said Islamabad supports a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned resolution, and remains steadfast in its support for the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Syria’s new government has sought to rebuild its ties with regional countries and international financial institutions after Assad’s ouster. The United Kingdom has also removed its sanctions on 12 Syrian government entities, including the ministries of defense and interior, and the General Intelligence Directorate.
UAE to build 20-bed hospital in Sindh under agreement with provincial government
- The hospital will be constructed in Qambar in the northwestern part of the province
- UAE has also built similar health care facilities in places like Sukkur and Larkana
KARACHI: The United Arab Emirates and Pakistan’s provincial government of Sindh signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday to establish a modern 20-bed hospital in Qambar, located in the northwestern part of the province, according to an official statement.
The UAE has undertaken several health care and development projects in Sindh in recent years, including the expansion of Sheikh Zayed Hospital for Women in Larkana and a pledged women and children’s hospital in Sukkur.
The new facility in Qambar adds to a growing portfolio of UAE-backed efforts aimed at improving public services and infrastructure in underserved areas of the province.
“The United Arab Emirates will establish a 20-bed hospital equipped with modern medical facilities in Qambar,” the Chief Minister’s spokesperson said.
“The facility will be named Sheikh Zayed Hospital,” the statement added.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who attended the signing ceremony held at his official residence, thanked the UAE authorities for the initiative and said it would help improve health care access in an underserved part of the province.
Pakistan and the UAE have longstanding ties, with the Gulf country supporting multiple infrastructure and humanitarian projects across Pakistan in recent years.
The UAE is also home to a large Pakistani community, which is one of the biggest sources of remittances to the South Asian country
Pakistan PM reaffirms India ceasefire commitment, says Kashmir resolution key to regional peace
- Shehbaz Sharif expresses concern over ‘provocative statements’ by Indian leaders following the ceasefire
- He tells Azerbaijani president Pakistan remains prepared to defend its sovereignty against any attack
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a recently agreed ceasefire with India but stressed that lasting peace in South Asia would only be possible through the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with UN Security Council resolutions.
Sharif made the statement during a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, days after cross-border hostilities between India and Pakistan were halted under a ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump.
According to an official statement, Sharif said his country had accepted ceasefire in the interest of regional peace but warned that it remained prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of another attack.
“The Jammu and Kashmir dispute is the root cause of instability in South Asia, which should be resolved in accordance with the UN Security Council’s resolutions,” he said, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
He also expressed concern over recent “provocative statements” by Indian leaders following the agreement.
Sharif thanked Azerbaijan for its stance on Kashmir and reiterated Pakistan’s appreciation for the solidarity shown by its leadership and people during the recent standoff.
The two leaders also discussed bilateral ties, with the Pakistani prime minister welcoming progress on proposals for up to $2 billion in Azerbaijani investments in Pakistan across multiple sectors.
He said Islamabad was committed to transforming its relations with Baku into a mutually beneficial economic partnership.
President Aliyev congratulated Sharif on Pakistan’s handling of the recent crisis and expressed support for the ceasefire agreement.
He reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The Pakistani premier extended an invitation to Aliyev to undertake an official visit to Pakistan, which the Azerbaijani leader accepted.
Pakistan blames ‘state patronage’ from Afghanistan as separatist insurgency intensifies in southwest
Pakistan blames ‘state patronage’ from Afghanistan as separatist insurgency intensifies in southwest
- Afghan government has dismissed accusations it allows its territory to be used by militants or supports them
- Balochistan, Pakistan’s most resource-rich but poorest province, has for decades battled a separatist insurgency
ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister Sardar Sarfraz Bugti said on Thursday an intensifying separatist insurgency in the southwestern Pakistani province of Balochistan was being bolstered by “state patronage” from Afghanistan, rejecting that the movement was a “struggle for rights.”
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and most resource-rich but poorest province, has for decades battled a separatist insurgency, with rebel groups accusing Islamabad of exploiting the province’s natural wealth and failing to provide jobs, health care and education to locals. Pakistani authorities reject these claims, saying they are investing billions of dollars in infrastructure, health and development initiatives in the province.
But militant attacks have intensified in recent months, targeting security forces and infrastructure, including Chinese-backed projects. In one of the most brazen assaults earlier this year, the Balochistan Liberation Army hijacked a passenger train carrying over 350 people and held them hostage for about 36 hours before the military rescued them. The army said 31 soldiers, railway staff and civilians were killed.
In August last year, at least 73 people were killed when separatist militants attacked police stations, railway lines and highways in a highly-coordinated assault and security forces launched retaliatory operations. Most recently, seven Pakistan army soldiers were killed on May 6 when their vehicle was targeted by an improvised explosive device.
Bugti dismissed the claim that such violence represented a struggle for rights.
“This is not a national war, nor a struggle for rights,” he said. “It is a futile conflict, and the only ones suffering are the Baloch themselves.”
Bugti acknowledged that uneven development in Balochistan and poor governance and corruption had helped insurgents gain ground but said external backing from Pakistan’s enemies, particularly support from within Afghanistan, was bolstering separatists.
“Our insurgents are living in Afghanistan under state patronage,” the CM said.
The Taliban government in Afghanistan has repeatedly dismissed Pakistani accusations that it was allowing its territory to be used by militants or that it supported any insurgent movements. It says Pakistan’s security problems are a domestic issue.
Bugti said another factor helping militants was public sympathy and legitimacy provided by civil society groups like the Baloch Yakjehti Council. The BYC has held several protests in Balochistan and marches to the federal capital, Islamabad, in recent years, putting the spotlight on issues like human rights abuses in the province as well as extrajudicial killings and detentions, which the state denies. The Pakistan army has previously called the civil rights movement a “terrorist proxy.”
“Insurgents need mouthpieces, they need legitimate voices from society,” Bugti said, predicting that the insurgency would dissipate.
“What happened with the Kurds in Türkiye after 40 long years is also where these groups will end up too.”
The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) group, which has been locked in bloody conflict with the Turkish state for more than four decades, announced earlier this week it would disband and end its armed struggle.
The development followed a call from the group’s imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, who urged the PKK to cease its armed struggle and pursue Kurdish rights through democratic means.
